Toyota’s FJ Cruiser–Inspired Concept Wins 2022 Car Design Award

Nice, France — June 10, 2022
Toyota’s FJ Cruiser–inspired Concept Cruiser earned the 2022 Car Design Award in the Concept Vehicle category. The announcement took place in Nice, France, where Toyota’s European design studio operates.

Toyota ED2, the brand’s European design center, created the Concept Cruiser. The design team drew heavy inspiration from the original FJ Cruiser while updating it with modern proportions and electric-vehicle cues. As a result, the Concept Cruiser stood out among strong competition.

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Beating Out High-Profile Concept Cars

The Concept Cruiser competed against several notable entries. These included Porsche’s Mission R, Opel’s Manta GSe ElektroMOD, and Alpine’s IED A4810 concept. Despite the impressive field, Toyota’s retro-modern approach resonated most with the judges.

Clearly, the blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking design played a major role in the win.

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A Modern Take on a Classic FJ Cruiser

Toyota discontinued the original FJ Cruiser in 2014. Even so, the model has maintained a strong following thanks to its rugged styling and off-road personality. The Concept Cruiser revives that spirit in a smaller, more compact package.

This time around, Toyota’s Nice-based design team focused on clean lines, upright proportions, and a minimalist look. At the same time, they modernized the design to align with Toyota’s current electric-vehicle vision.

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Why Production Remains Unlikely in North America

Although the Concept Cruiser has generated excitement, production appears unlikely — at least for North America. The region’s market continues to favor full-size trucks, large SUVs, and crossovers. Compact vehicles struggle to gain traction by comparison.

For context, even the Suzuki Jimny, one of Suzuki’s best-selling models globally, remains unavailable in North America. Given that trend, a compact off-road-inspired EV would face significant market challenges.

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Lighting Design That Stands Out

From a lighting perspective, the Concept Cruiser delivers a strong visual identity. The front end features LED daytime running lights that align with Toyota’s modern design language. Three projector elements integrate seamlessly into the faux grille.

Interestingly, one rendering also shows an OEM-style light bar integrated into the front fascia. If Toyota ever moves this concept toward production, that lighting detail could become a standout feature.

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Part of Toyota’s Broader EV Vision

In December, Toyota revealed a lineup of 15 electric vehicle concepts. These covered everything from sports cars to compact cars, SUVs, crossovers, and commercial vehicles. The Concept Cruiser appeared among that group, signaling Toyota’s interest in diverse EV platforms.

While production plans remain uncertain, the Concept Cruiser clearly reflects Toyota’s design direction moving forward.

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Final Thoughts

The Concept Cruiser’s Car Design Award win highlights Toyota’s ability to balance heritage with innovation. By revisiting the FJ Cruiser’s DNA in an electric concept, Toyota captured both nostalgia and modern appeal.

For now, the Concept Cruiser remains just that — a concept. Still, its design success suggests Toyota understands what enthusiasts want, even if market realities delay production.

In the meantime, stick around the Better Automotive Lighting Blog for the latest news, design trends, and lighting technology updates. Also, check out our Facebook page, leave a comment, and let us know what you think.